5 Ways to Not Lose Yourself in a Relationship

Relationships are hard people say. Blending a family is hard they say. After many discussions with friends, some who are in long-term relationships and some who have yet to master that long-term thing, I have come up with my own 5 Ways to Not Lose Yourself in a Relationship as a means to share some relationship advice I have learned thus far  ….

Do Not Change Yourself For Another Person – This is the most simple of tips in this relationship advice piece, most of us realize when we meet someone else that we have to remember to maintain a certain level of individuality as a means to stay centered. Keeping your individuality will also help to bring a different view, opinion and dynamic to the relationship. Eventually you will grow to be bitter, hateful and just mean to your partner if you are changing who you are to conform to their standards. Changing to better yourself based on advice from your partner is one thing, but changing yourself as a means to keep your partner around, is wrong.

Be Sure to Make Time For Yourself  – While your relationship may last forever and ever, there is still something important about being comfortable with alone time. Alone time doing what you love, but your partner may not, ensures that you are keeping up with being a balanced individual. Everyone needs time alone and if you do not make it a solid part of your relationship, you may wake up feeling completely smothered from not taking enough time to be you.

Hobbies May Change, but Never Lose Interest –  Having your own interests, apart from your partner, is actually a fantastic way to not lose yourself. If you do not take time to figure out or continue on liking the things that interested you before you met your partner then you  may start to feel depressed and lost which can hurt your relationship in a big way. Interests can be anything from taking time to read books, to watching certain shows, or even going out to partake in certain activities; whatever your interests are please do not ever give them up for a relationship.

Wait Longer Than Half a Year to Live Together – The reason I advise a yield sign on living together is that many move in together to save money or because they feel this is ‘the one’ far too soon. First off, living together because of financial reasons will barely ever work out in the favor of your relationship. When your relationship is at move-in status, be sure you both are ready to respect boundaries and allow each other to continue on in being who they are. Living together can put you at a huge risk of losing yourself, if it is not the right timing.

Maintain Solid Bonds with Your Friends –  No matter how long-term your relationship is or will be, there is something about having that group of friends that have always been there for you. Fact is, no matter how in love two people are, they will still need a solid bond with their outside friends. The best relationship advice I have received is to ensure your friends are kept as an important part of your life and that your partner respects that. Having bonds with friends outside of your relationship can keep you happy, strong and confident during all stages of your relationship.

There are so many ways you have to work to be self aware during a long-term relationship, but if you are with the right person, they will encourage you to be an individual and maintain who are you. After all, if they fell in love with you for who you are, and you get lost somewhere in there, the love can pull away.

Do you have any relationship advice to add to this list?